Bolt-hung track



May 16, 1961 R. G. FRRRIS 2,983 947 BOLT-HUNG TRACK Filed Nov. 12, 1957 United ser@ BOLT-HUNG TRACK Filed Nov. 12, 1957, Ser. No. 695,9!62

3 Claims. (Cl. 1li-94) This invention relatesY to tubularl tracks for hanging sliding doorsconveyors, or the like, and contemplates the provision of al new and improved, bolt-hung, bracketless track.

Tracks of the type referred to are sometimes cylindrical and sometimes rectangular in cross-section, and are intended to receive one or more rollers or bearingsy adapted to move longitudinally in the `track. The rollers support hangers which project downwardly through a longitudinal slot in the track and'have a door, conveyor, or the like hanging therefrom.

While the track illustrated is suitable for many uses, as in hanging doors, conveyors and other travelling equipment, for simplicity it is referred to hereinafter as a track for sliding doors or the like, but this description is not intended as a limitation.

In the past, the tracks usuallyhave been hung in one of two different Ways. lOne method involves the useof track brackets secured to a supporting structure and attached to the track in' a manner to support the latter. In the other method the track is supported without the use of track brackets by means of bolts securing the track directly to the supporting structure. While the first method is satisfactory in providing adequate support for the door, it involves an expense' for the track brackets which is not incurred in using the second method. And while variations of the second method have provided adequate support for the track, they have been attended by certain disadvantages. Y

More specically, carriage bolts have been used to; support track, these bolts having a squared portion fitted ina similarly shaped opening in the track. This arrangement has. the disadvantage that a portion` of the bolt head protrudesinto the track, and use of such bolts has.

been limitedl .to the` hangingy of box track, of generally rectangularV conguratiom which accommodates laterally spacedV rollers or wheels which straddle the centrally located bolt head so that the bolt head does not interfere with movementrof the rollers inV the track. Carriage bolts cannot be used in tracks which receive rollers having a large diameter at the middle of the track, substantially equal the height of the track passage, as the bolt heads protrude into the track yand obstruct the passage of the rollers longitudinally in the track.

In the latter type of track, the slot in the track is usually narrow, andv if use is made of other available types of bolts having a head receivable in a countersunk seat in the track to avoid. protrusion yof the head into the track, the bolt heads` are too large to pass through the track slots and diiculty is encountered in positioning andholding the bolts while hanging the track. For example, where such bolts are used, in hanging a ten foot length of track to be supported at two foot intervals live bolts mustbe `tossed into the track from the ends and then picked up by a tool projected through the slot. in the bottom of the track, placed in the bolt holes in the track, and then fastened to the support for the track. It is readily apparent `that this is an extremely diiiicult Patented May 1e, 196i task for a man standing` on a ladder high above the ground.

According to the invention, a new and improved bolthung, bracketless track is provided which avoids the disadvantages described.

'Ihe track of this invention is provided with a countersunk seat to receive the head of the supporting bolt so that no portion of the bolt projects into the track; the bolt and the complementary seat are formed to retain the bolt against rotation when seated; and the bolt is formed so that it may be inserted itno the track through the slot in the track by means of a simple tool such as a common nail and held seated against rotation during tightening ofthe nut.

Substantial economies are obtained in the costs of manufacture and installation of tracks constructed according to the principles of the invention. The new bolt can be produced for about one-half the cost of producing bolts previously used, "and the installation hasl been materially simplified to be accomplished in a more expeditious manner.

The invention is illustrated in a preferred embodiment in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. l is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating a bolt-hung, bracketless track embodying the principlesof the present invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary transverse sectional view taken at about the line 2-2 of Fig. l;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a length of tubular track similar to that shown in Figs. l and 2;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view, taken tart about the line; 4-4 of Fig. 2, with a washer omitted;

Fig. 5A is a fragmentary transverse sectional view taken at about the line 5-5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view taken at about the line 6-6 of Fig. 5; and

Fig. 7 is atop plan view of a bolt for hanging the track.

Referring to -the drawings in greater detail, in Fig, 1 a length of tubular track 10 is bolt-hung to a support- 11. `As illustrated, the track 10 is substantially cylindrical and forms Va track and passage for movement of roller wheels or bearings such as that illustrated at 12 which move longitudinally in the track. Two wheels` such as those illustrated at 12, spaced longitudinally in theV track 10, support a door hanger 13 and an unobstructed longitudinal slot 14 in [thetrack passes the hanger on which a door 15 is hung `for slidingrmovement on longitudinal movement of the rollers in the track. Door hanging structures of this type are extremely sturdy and are used for hanging barn doors or the like having a substantial width. Thus, the track sections such as that illustrated at 10 may be quite long, ten to twenty feet for example, and two or more hangers such as that at 13 are normally employed for' hanging a single door. A central flange 15 on the roller 12 lits into the lon-gitudinal slot 14 at the bottom of the tube, and reachesV substantially to the top of the tube. End stops such as that illustrated at 17 may be suitably secured to the track sections to limit movement of the rollers.

Diametrically opposite the longitudinal slot 14 in the. track 10, the track is formed with a plurality of openingsl 2b which may be spaced at approximately two footinter` vals for receiving bolts which hang the track. As seen best in Fig. 4, the openings 20 are generally oblong in plan view withV parallel straight sides 21 extending trans,- versely of the track and rounded ends 22 which extend generally longitudinally of the track. The metal adjacent the rounded ends of the opening is extruded outwardly from the general configuration of the tube to form a countersunk seat for the head of a bolt for hanging the tube. As seen best in Figs. 5 and` 6, theextrusions are inclined outwardly and upwardly as illustrated at 23, and

are rounded transversely as illustrated at 24. The metal along the sides 21 of the opening conforms to the general configuration of the tube, without being deformed, to provide transversely extending abutments for engagement with the bolt head to retain the bolt against rotation when the head is seated.

The bolt for hanging the tube, as best seen in Figs. 2 and 4, includes a threaded shank 30 and a head 31 adapted to seat in the countersunk seat provided in the tube so as to leave a clear passage in the tube for the rollers 12 and to retain the bolt against rotation when the head is seated. As best seen in Figs. 4 and 7, the bolt head 31 is somewhat oblong in plan view, having ends 32 which are inclined upwardly (downwardly, as the bolt is positioned in Figs, l, 2 and 4) and outwardly from opposite sides of the shank 30 and rounded transversely to fit into the complementary rounded seat portions formed at 24 in the tube. Parallel sides- 33 of the head extend substantially straight upwardly (downwardly, as illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 4) from opposite sides of the threaded shank 30, are substantially flat, and generally triangular in shape as viewed in Fig. 2. The sides 33 form abutments engageable with the straight sides 21 of the hole 20 so as to retain the bolt against rotation when the head 31 is seated in the countersunk recess in the tube.

As best illustrated by the broken line showing in Fig. 2, the width of the bolt head 31 is such that the head will readily pass through the slot 14 n the tubular track 10 to permit insertion of the bolt into position for hanging the track. In order to facilitate positioning of the bolt, the head 31 is formed with a countersunk recess 35 axially aligned and substantially cylindrical in shape to receive the end portion of a simple tool such as a common 16- penny nail 36. The recess 35 may comprise a bore or drill hole of a suicient length to receive a substantial length of the nail 36 in order that the nail may be utilized to manipulate the bolt easily.

During installation of the track, the nail 36 may be used externally of the tubular track to insert the bolt through the slot 14 and upwardly in the tubular track to pass the shank of the bolt through the hole 20 in the track, seating the bolt head 31 in the countersunk recess in the tube. A common 16-penny nail is of sufficient length to accomplish this purpose, and may be economically included with purchases of the track and mounting bolts. Once the threaded shank of the bolt is inserted through the hole in the tube, and the head 31 of the bolt seated, the bolt is automatically retained against rotation and the nail may be relied upon to retain the bolt head in the seat, While a nut is tightened in place to hold the track. As illustrated, a rather large washer 37 is positioned on the shank of the bolt around the hole 20 in the tubular track, and the bolt passes through the support 11 and a washer 38, after which a nut 39 is tightened on the threaded shank to retain the track in position.

It will be readily understood that the construction illustrated provides a number of advantages over prior art devices for a similar purpose, The tubular track is deformed adjacent the bolt openings with extruded metal portions which form a countersunk seat so that the bolt head does not project into the passage in the track for the hanger rollers. At the same time, the bolt head and the seat are formed to retain the bolt against rotation when the head is seated, and the bolt head therefore may be formed with a simple cylindrical opening for retaining the bolt in the seat. The bolt provided for hanging the track is formed to pass readily through the slot in the lower portion of the track and the need for-tossing a number of bolts into the track from one end and thereafter picking these up laboriously with tools not suitable for the purpose has been eliminated. Instead the bolt may be passed through the slot in the track with a simple, economical nail and seated for tightening. The track may be provided with any number of extruded bolt holes, any group of which may be selected for use, depending on the load to be carried. Where the track is initially hung without using supporting bolts in all the bolt holes provided, the track support may be readily increased when necessary' simply by inserting additional bolts at the unused bolt holes without the necessity of removing the hanging door or the like, and without taking down the track as would be necessary with bracket hung track.

The foregoing detailed description is given for clearness of understanding only and no unnecessary limitations should be understood therefrom, as modifications will be obvious to those skilled in the art. Y

I claim:

1. In combination, a bolt-hangable track for a sliding door or the like, and means for hanging the track, said track comprising: a cylindrical metal tube having a longitudinal slot therethrough for passing a door hanger and at least one hole therethrough diametrically opposite said slot to pass a bolt for hanging the tube; said hole being approximately oblong in shape, with two substantially straight opposed sides and with ends rounded outwardly; the metal along the ends of the hole being inclined outwardly from the configuration of the tube to form a countersunk seat in the tube for a bolt head, and the metal along the sides of the hole conforming to the configuration of the tube to form abutments against rota` tion of the bolt head, said means for hanging the track comprising: a bolt having a threaded shank passable through the hole in said tube; a head on the shank having lugs formed to fit the countersunk seats at the ends of said hole and having abutments engageable with the metal along the sides of said hole to prevent rotation of the bolt when the head is seated; a nut threadable on said bolt shank; and a compression washer on the bolt shank between the nut and the bolt head having a central opening therethrough of a size enabling the inner periphery of the washer to seat on the outwardly extending metal adjacent the hole in the tube at a position from the outermost metal no greater than the thickness of the washer so that the washer is engageable with a support to which the bolt is attachable to prevent deformation of the outwardly extending metal when the nut is tightened.

2. In combination, `a support bracket having a hole therethrough, a bolt-hangable track for a sliding door or the like, and means for hanging the track on the bracket, said track comprising: a metal tube having a longitudinal slot therethrough for passing a door hanger and at least one hole therethrough opposite said slot to pass a bolt for hanging the tube, metal adjacent the hole being inclined outwardly from the configuration of the tube to form a countersunk seat in the tube for a bolt head, said means for hanging the track comprising: a bolt having a threaded shank passable through the holes in the tube and bracket, a head on the shank formed to t the countersunk seat, a nut threadable on said bolt shank and a compression washer positionable on the bolt shank between the bracket and the bolt head having a central opening therethrough of a size enabling the inner periphery of the Washer to seat on the outwardly extending metal adjacent the hole in the tube at a position from the outermost metal no greater than the thickness of the washer so that the washer is engageable with the bracket to prevent deformation of the outwardly extending metal when the nut is tightened.

3. In combination, a bolt-hangable track for a sliding door or the like, and means for hanging the track, said track comprising: a cylindrical metal tube having a longitudinal slot therethrough for passing a door hanger and at least one hole therethrough diametrcally opposite said slot to pass a bolt for hanging the tube; said hole being approximately oblong in shape, with two substantially straight opposed sides and with ends rounded outwardly; the metal along the ends of the hole being inclined outwardly from the configuration of the tube to form a countersunk seat in the tube for a bolt head, and the metal `along the sides of the hole conforming to the configuration of the tube to form abutments against rotation of the bolt head, said means for hanging the track comprising: a bolt having a threaded shank passable through the hole in said tube; a head on the shank having lugs formed to tit the countersunk seats at the ends of said hole and having abutments engageable with the metal along the sides of said hole to prevent rotation of the bolt when the head is seated; and a nut threadable on said bolt shank.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

